Asthma in Children

Asthma is the number one chronic health condition suffered by children. Asthma in children is very prevalent in developed countries. In the United States, out of the nearly 20 million people who suffer from asthma, approximately 9 million are children. Asthma accounts for more childhood hospitalizations and more absences from school than any other chronic medical condition, with it affecting approximately one out of every 10 children.

Typically, asthma symptoms in children first appear around the age of 5 years old, although it can start at any age. Asthma in children is very similar to asthma in adults. Primary symptoms include wheezing, difficulties with breathing, coughing, and pressure in the chest. These symptoms tend to be experienced more frequently by children in the early morning or at night.

Children who develop asthma symptoms after the age of 2 and before the age of 10 have a nearly 50% chance of outgrowing the condition. However, it is not uncommon for the asthma to reappear later in their life, often at some point in their thirties or forties.

There are several factors that may make a child more vulnerable to developing asthma. Because asthma has a genetic component, children who have one or both parents with asthma or even allergies are much more likely to have asthma than children whose parents do not have asthma or allergies. Also, children who have allergies are much more vulnerable to having asthma.

For many children, allergies are the trigger for asthma. There is a pattern that has been noticed in children with asthma. They start by having dermatitis, or eczema. Then they develop hay fever, and then some time after that, asthma symptoms appear. This sequence has been labeled "the allergic march".

There are other factors that may also contribute to childhood asthma. For example, children who are exposed regularly to secondhand smoke, even before they are born, tend to have an increased likeliness of developing asthma. Gender and ethnicity also seem to play a role. Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with asthma than girls, and African American children are more likely to have this illness than their Caucasian peers.

Children who experience a lot of respiratory or viral infections seem to be more prone to asthma than children who don't. Also, children born into families with low incomes are at higher risk for developing this condition. This may be partially because they have more exposure to allergens such as rodents and the remains and droppings of cockroaches.

There are several symptoms in children that may indicate they have asthma. These include many different things, and they are not the same for every child. Also, the symptoms may be different in different episodes.

A child with asthma may cough frequently. In fact, sometimes with children, coughing is the only symptom they have. The coughing often occurs when he is laughing or playing, and / or at night. He may frequently feel tired, and he may seem less energetic than other children when playing. His breathing may be fast, and he may say his chest hurts. He may have some difficult breathing, and his breathing may be labored. There may be wheezing sounds when he inhales and exhales.

Treatment goals for children with asthma are very similar to those for adults, and will often include a combination of medication and preventive measures. These goals include keeping the child breathing as normally as possible and preventing asthma attacks. Effective treatment will allow him to participate in normal activities, including exercise. It will also decrease the likeliness of a hospitalization or ER visit, and result in fewer absences from school.

Consult your pediatrician if you have any reason to suspect your child may have asthma. The sooner a treatment plan is devised and adhered to, the better for both you and your child.